Mohammed A. Shayeb

Ken Peplowski has become a household name in Japan, where Venus Records has released no less than three of his albums in recent years. On this release, the arrangements are varied, so the album doesn't feel monotonous. There are two versions of this album. One where Ken Peplowski plays the songs on tenor saxophone and another where he plays the songs on clarinet. This is the release where he plays clarinet. Peplowski's clarinet sounds are warm, attractive, and eloquent, while still rooted in the jazz tradition. His playing is so expressive that it's possible to almost hear the lyrics of each song when he plays the melody.

On "Like a Lover," two of Venus Records' most popular jazz musicians got together for an excellent duo album. New York-based Australian singer/bassist Nicki Parrott and clarinet/tenor sax player Ken Peplowski are chief voices of their craftt. Both musicians bring something new to the music on this album thanks to their inventiveness. It's easy to see that Parrott and Peplowski's characteristics are superbly matched. The album is a collection of outstanding love songs that consist of mostly standards along with a few Lennon/McCartney tracks.